America has overcome many challenges and undergone many transformations on its path to developing an identity as an independent nation. To facilitate this transformation, many documents were adopted as laws governing the country. As time has changed, so has our application of the wisdom engraved in the documents that once defined American virtue. These documents continue to influence American development, as well as the world, in part because America applies them to its foreign policy. In the early days, religion was dominant in the colonies, especially since “God” and “Christianity” are the most common words in many of the documents that shaped our country. It's no surprise that while religious freedom is the foundation of our country's foundation, other religions have yet to establish a secure bastion. For the reasons given above, America appears to be a strictly religious nation. The definition of an American citizen has been dominated by religion since our nation's origin, despite demands for religious freedom, which seemed limited to Christianity. Roger Williams, a minister who emigrated to America, also noticed this and stated that a uniform belief system is not necessary to maintain a stable body politic (Williams 1). His idea was revolutionary and influenced many others who would adopt it into our nation's governing documents. His assertion that "religious uniformity imposed throughout a nation or civil state confuses the civil and the religious, denies the principles of Christianity and civility" (2) demands religious freedom, and I finds this to be a compelling statement for the times. The Bloody Principle of Persecution is a historically important document because it ...... middle of paper ......o the original statement because all men become more equal over time. The Constitution, once used as a tool of segregation, is now used to integrate. America is becoming a community that is not confined to one nation, but is within all who seek it. America has changed its religious identity from strictly Christian to neutral, becoming a nation that embraces many differences. As a country, as a culture, as an ideal nation, we continue to grow. History shows that we have the potential to become the model of democracy, as we have long strived to be. The best way to lead by example is to lead by example, and as America continues to progress, the resulting successes inspire many nations around the world to follow our example. America has long presented itself as a pioneer of freedom and prosperity, and it's time to act like it..